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עֵבֵר

𐤏𐤁𐤓

Ever

H5677 noun

SILEX Entry

Root ע־ב־ר to cross over, pass through, traverse

Definition

Proper name designating two early post-diluvian ancestors (descendants of Shem), as well as other individuals in later genealogies; also potentially used in a wider sense to indicate 'the region beyond' or 'across,' relating to geography. The primary lexical meaning when used as a proper name is 'Eber,' but fundamentally the term is derived from a root conveying the idea of 'the other side, region across.'

Semantic Range

proper name (Eber, early ancestor; individuals named Eber in clan lists), reference to ancestry possibly denoting those from 'beyond' or 'across' a river, geographic reference (region across, other side) in related nouns

Root / Etymology

From the root עבר (ʿ-b-r), meaning 'to pass over, cross.' The form עֵבֵר (ʿēver) is related to the noun עֵבֶר (ʿēver), meaning 'region beyond, the other side.' The proper name likely conveys the sense of 'one from the other side' or 'one from across,' possibly referencing ancient migration patterns.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the genealogical lists of Genesis (particularly Gen 10:21, 10:24, 11:14–17), עֵבֵר is a significant figure: an ancestor of Abram, descended from Shem. The name may carry a geographic or migratory undertone (i.e., 'one from across [the river]'), mirroring the location or origins of certain early Israelite ancestors who migrated from regions east of the Euphrates. Aside from the primeval genealogical context, subsequent individuals named עֵבֵר appear in later clan genealogies (e.g., in 1 Chr 5:13 and 8:22), where the name functions more as a clan or personal designation rather than bearing explicit geographical significance. In some English translations, עֵבֵר is anglicized as 'Eber' or occasionally 'Heber'; the latter is a distinct but similar Hebrew name (חֵבֶר). The association between עֵבֵר and the ethnonym 'Hebrew' (עִבְרִי, ʿivri) is debated, but both derive from the same root, implying 'those who cross [over].' English renderings such as 'Eber' do not always capture these connotations. The usage is mostly static across the biblical period, remaining a personal or clan name without significant semantic development beyond its original genealogical function.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

the same as עֵבֶר; Eber, the name of two patriarchs and four Israelites; Eber, Heber.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

עבר (ʿ-b-r) — to cross over, pass through, traverse

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H4569 מַעֲבָר the crossing-places
H5668 עָבוּר for the sake of
H5669 עָבוּר from carried-over grain of
H5674 עָבַר I will cause to pass over
H5675 עֲבַר he crossed over

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H5677-01 עֵ֔בֶר ever HNp Eber One-from-Across 11
H5677-02 וּ/לְ/עֵ֥בֶר uleever HC/R/Np And to Eber and to Eber (from across) 2
H5677-03 וָ/עֵ֖בֶר vaever HC/Np and Eber and Eber 2

Occurrences in Scripture

15 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H5677-01 Genesis 10:21 עֵ֔בֶר ever HNp Eber One-from-Across
H5677-01 Genesis 10:24 עֵֽבֶר ever HNp Eber One-from-Across
H5677-02 Genesis 10:25 וּ/לְ/עֵ֥בֶר uleever HC/R/Np to Eber and to Eber (from across)
H5677-01 Genesis 11:14 עֵֽבֶר ever HNp Eber One-from-Across
H5677-01 Genesis 11:15 עֵ֔בֶר ever HNp Eber One-from-Across
H5677-01 Genesis 11:16 עֵ֕בֶר ever HNp Eber One-from-Across
H5677-01 Genesis 11:17 עֵ֗בֶר ever HNp Eber One-from-Across
H5677-01 Numbers 24:24 עֵ֑בֶר ever HNp Eber One-from-Across
H5677-01 Nehemiah 12:20 עֵֽבֶר ever HNp Eber One-from-Across
H5677-01 1 Chronicles 1:18 עֵֽבֶר ever HNp Eber One-from-Across
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